#csm 145

In light of the latest chapter, I want to say that it genuinely cannot be overstated how important it is to Yoshida's characterization to understand that he says "I" when he is talking about actions he is personally choosing to take, and "We" when he is talking about Public Safety's orders/actions.

It was Public Safety's call to kidnap Nayuta, and Yoshida then chose to kidnap Denji in order to keep the situation under control and deliver his ultimatum.

Yoshida specifically brings Denji to the protestors as a warning, we now know thanks to the latest chapter that Public Safety does want to neutralize Denji and is perfectly happy with putting him down. Yoshida makes it clear that he thinks Denji should no longer transform into chainsaw man to avoid further escalating the situation.

Public Safety are gearing up to kill/imprison Nayuta independently of Yoshida, the situation isn't that Public Safety kidnapped Nayuta in order to convince Denji to stop being Chainsaw Man, Public Safety is neutralizing Nayuta because she is the control devil, and Yoshida's ultimatum is to try and prevent this from happening.

Yoshida slips up and drops the act here because he is upset at things not going to plan, he refers to Public Safety as if they are completely separate from himself, an organization he has no say in or control over.

Yoshida's distress is made even more appropriate with the reveal that Public Safety is completely fine with Denji being turned into a weapon due to his continued autonomy being inconvenient for them.

And of course:

Since Public Safety want Asa to turn Denji into a weapon, Yoshida telling Asa to stay away from Denji here is a flagrant act of rebellion against Public Safety in order to protect Denji. And, considering that Public Safety has surveillance on Denji, their first move after Asa turns him into a weapon would most likely be to instantly order Special Division 7 to kill her and take the weapon. Him issuing this order is also protecting Asa from Public Safety.

Comparing Yoshida’s body language and expression in this chapter to other times we’ve seen him fight, he looks much, much more tired and dispassionate than usual. He looks like he doesn’t actually want to be doing this. Even when Quanxi was kicking his ass, he had more energy and confidence than he shows here—now he’s hunched over, like he’s exhausted after swinging his sword a single time. Instead of looking determined, his expression is distant, almost lost.

I really hope this is indicative of him finally having doubts about Public Safety and their mission/motives. We’ve seen him do some horrifying shit in the name of Public Safety, but maybe they’ve crossed a line that’s made him start to question things, or he’s having trouble believing that they can actually protect people.